Warne will help Lehmann, just don't call him coach

Shane Warne has confirmed he will be part of the new Australian coaching structure although only in an informal way rather than in a full-time capacity.

On his appointment as head coach this week following the shock sacking of Mickey Arthur, Darren Lehmann said he wanted to have Australian greats such as Warne around the team, particularly as they attempted to upset favourites England in the upcoming Ashes series.

The legendary leg-spinner, who this month marked 20 years since his 'Ball of the Century' to dismiss Mike Gatting with his first delivery in the Ashes, has accepted the invitation.

"It was very nice of Darren and Michael Clarke to say they would like me to be involved with the Australian team. I am always there to help any Australian cricketer and always have been," Warne wrote in his column in London's Telegraph on Friday. "If I need to be around at practice to have a chat with boys about tactical stuff or bowling then I will do that.

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"It's good to be part of the set-up but most of time my role will be informal, catching up on the phone or chatting over a drink or meal. I do not need a fancy job title to help out. When you are in the team bubble it can be very helpful to hear input from someone outside the group who occasionally might have a different take on things."

Warne is a former teammate of Lehmann's and pushed for his inclusion on the Australian coaching set-up when he released his four-part 'manifesto' on the state of the game earlier this year. The 43-year-old is also a close friend and ex-teammate of Test captain Michael Clarke.

He has been highly critical of several developments around the Australian team this year, notably the rotation of players and the standing down of four players over the so-called 'homework' affair in India. In comments that now look rather prescient Warne at the time predicted that the suspension of the Mohali Four would create further damage to Australia's team spirit.

He applauded the appointment of Lehmann, under whose stewardship he believes Australia have a genuine chance of reclaiming the Ashes.

"Boof is not really a coach," Warne wrote. "Yes, sure he can tell you about technique but he will be speaking to players about how they approach the game and prepare. He is a mentor. He has been there, done it and endured all the ups and downs over a lifetime in cricket. He has a great rapport with players, a good understanding of how to balance the old school and new.

"He has an excellent cricket brain and a calm way of going about things – this will be infectious to the team. He loves talking about cricket, his outlook will help the team feel a lot more relaxed about everything. The atmosphere around the team will not be as tense. Australia will have cricket-specific practice sessions, they will be short and sharp with lots of intensity. Everything in cricket terms will be based on skill. There will be none of the airy-fairy stuff that is for show. It is back to old-school preparation with the focus being on fun."